Jump Rope fundraiser a success

OTSEGO -- The numbers are in, and Otsego Public Schools elementary students jumped with heart, for heart, and hit new heights with their fundraising total.

Students from all three elementary schools raised $13,364 for the American Heart Association in their Jump Rope for Heart events.

The students collect pledges, then, in order to raise funds had to jump rope for a certain amount of time.

This year, 280 students participated.

This is an event Otsego takes part in each year.

Washington Street Elementary School organizer Amy Nieuwenhuis says it's always a success. "People donate because it's a cause that is very personal."

She added that raising awareness and research to fight heart disease "is also a cause very visible in our community lately with the deaths of Pat Coughlin (principal in Wayland) and Wes Leonard (Fennville high school student and basketball star)."